University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
GoHeels Exclusive: Weekly Press Conference Notes
October 16, 2018 | Football, Featured Writers
In the aftermath of Saturday's 22-19 loss against Virginia Tech, Larry Fedora met with reporters for his weekly press conference on Monday.
Here are five notes from the press conference, leading up to Saturday's 12:20 p.m. game at Syracuse:
Red-zone execution
Fedora opened the press conference by addressing the Tar Heels' missed opportunities against Virginia Tech, the most glaring of which came inside the red zone. UNC drove inside the Hokies' 20-yard line seven times. But it only scored 19 points, one touchdown and four field goals.
"I go back and look at what we used down there, what we called, what we had planned for," Fedora said, "and that was no different from how I felt about things we had in other areas of the field. I thought we had a good plan. We've got to finish, we've got to execute, you've got to have a nose for the end zone."
Carolina is tied for 102nd nationally in red zone offense, scoring on 78.9 percent of its trips.
'Signs of promise'
The first true freshman to start at quarterback for the Tar Heels since Cam Sexton in 2006, Cade Fortin showed signs of promise before exiting the Virginia Tech game due to injury in the second quarter.
Fortin completed 10-of-18 passes for 97 yards. He also carried the ball six times for 44 yards, a majority of which came on a 40-yard scamper that eventually set up a field goal.
"I thought he did a really nice job," Fedora said. "There were a couple of throws that he would have liked to have back. But when you really watched what he did, he took care of the football. He didn't throw the ball into coverage. There may be a couple where his feet got a little bit happy and he was concerned with the rush, but that was early and then he kind of settled in."
Carter garners weekly honor
After rushing for a career-high 165 yards Saturday, Michael Carter was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Running Back of the Week for Week 7.
According to College Football Reference, Carter became just the 13th running back to rush for 165 yards or more against Virginia Tech since 2000. The only other Tar Heel tailback to accomplish that feat in that span is Giovani Bernard (2012), who Carter, 5-foot-9, drew comparisons to on Monday.
"(Bernard) was challenged vertically, also, but he's still playing (in the NFL) because he's got such great feet, great quickness, change of direction," Fedora said. "He's one of those guys who can make you miss in a phone booth, and then he can accelerate. He can start and stop on a dime and get going sideways and then get back vertical. He's got a great jump cut.
"You know, Mike's tough. He does a great job in protection. He's a tough-minded kid in everything he does."
D-line sets tone
After constant personnel shuffling through the first four games, the defensive line was as close to full strength as it's been all season on Saturday. And the unit proved key in the defense's best performance of the season.
UNC made nine tackles for losses, including four quarterback sacks (two each by Jason Strowbridge and Malik Carney). The four sacks matched Carolina's season high, set in the season opener against California. Between the 2016 and 2017 seasons, the Tar Heels had only two total games with four sacks or more.
"Those guys got pressure the entire night," Fedora said. "We didn't have to send other people. They got four sacks when we were just bringing four. They probably should've had a couple of more. When you can do that, that helps your entire defense because you can do so much. Not only did they do that, but they did a great job against the run, also."
Getting 'prepared for everything'
Saturday's visit to Syracuse marks UNC's first since 2002, when Carolina won 30-22 and Dan Orner tied an NCAA record with three field goals of at least 50 yards. This year's game will be Fedora's first in the Carrier Dome.
"I've done a lot of research, talked to a lot of people who have been there," Fedora said. "The common theme everyone talks about is how warm it gets in there. That's something everyone talks about. And you always know in a dome you've got a chance for it to be loud. We've got to be prepared for everything."
The Orange lead the ACC and is tied for 11th nationally in scoring offense, averaging 43 points across six games. Dual-threat quarterback Eric Dungey paces the team in both rushing (435 yards, seven touchdowns) and passing (1,208 yards, 10 touchdowns).
"I've got a lot of respect for their quarterback," Fedora said. "He's a tough, gritty, hard-nosed guy who can throw it. He doesn't look to slide; he wants to run over you. You can tell the team feeds off him. Who wouldn't want to play for a guy like that?"
Here are five notes from the press conference, leading up to Saturday's 12:20 p.m. game at Syracuse:
Red-zone execution
Fedora opened the press conference by addressing the Tar Heels' missed opportunities against Virginia Tech, the most glaring of which came inside the red zone. UNC drove inside the Hokies' 20-yard line seven times. But it only scored 19 points, one touchdown and four field goals.
"I go back and look at what we used down there, what we called, what we had planned for," Fedora said, "and that was no different from how I felt about things we had in other areas of the field. I thought we had a good plan. We've got to finish, we've got to execute, you've got to have a nose for the end zone."
Carolina is tied for 102nd nationally in red zone offense, scoring on 78.9 percent of its trips.
'Signs of promise'
The first true freshman to start at quarterback for the Tar Heels since Cam Sexton in 2006, Cade Fortin showed signs of promise before exiting the Virginia Tech game due to injury in the second quarter.
Fortin completed 10-of-18 passes for 97 yards. He also carried the ball six times for 44 yards, a majority of which came on a 40-yard scamper that eventually set up a field goal.
"I thought he did a really nice job," Fedora said. "There were a couple of throws that he would have liked to have back. But when you really watched what he did, he took care of the football. He didn't throw the ball into coverage. There may be a couple where his feet got a little bit happy and he was concerned with the rush, but that was early and then he kind of settled in."
Carter garners weekly honor
After rushing for a career-high 165 yards Saturday, Michael Carter was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Running Back of the Week for Week 7.
According to College Football Reference, Carter became just the 13th running back to rush for 165 yards or more against Virginia Tech since 2000. The only other Tar Heel tailback to accomplish that feat in that span is Giovani Bernard (2012), who Carter, 5-foot-9, drew comparisons to on Monday.
"(Bernard) was challenged vertically, also, but he's still playing (in the NFL) because he's got such great feet, great quickness, change of direction," Fedora said. "He's one of those guys who can make you miss in a phone booth, and then he can accelerate. He can start and stop on a dime and get going sideways and then get back vertical. He's got a great jump cut.
"You know, Mike's tough. He does a great job in protection. He's a tough-minded kid in everything he does."
D-line sets tone
After constant personnel shuffling through the first four games, the defensive line was as close to full strength as it's been all season on Saturday. And the unit proved key in the defense's best performance of the season.
UNC made nine tackles for losses, including four quarterback sacks (two each by Jason Strowbridge and Malik Carney). The four sacks matched Carolina's season high, set in the season opener against California. Between the 2016 and 2017 seasons, the Tar Heels had only two total games with four sacks or more.
"Those guys got pressure the entire night," Fedora said. "We didn't have to send other people. They got four sacks when we were just bringing four. They probably should've had a couple of more. When you can do that, that helps your entire defense because you can do so much. Not only did they do that, but they did a great job against the run, also."
Getting 'prepared for everything'
Saturday's visit to Syracuse marks UNC's first since 2002, when Carolina won 30-22 and Dan Orner tied an NCAA record with three field goals of at least 50 yards. This year's game will be Fedora's first in the Carrier Dome.
"I've done a lot of research, talked to a lot of people who have been there," Fedora said. "The common theme everyone talks about is how warm it gets in there. That's something everyone talks about. And you always know in a dome you've got a chance for it to be loud. We've got to be prepared for everything."
The Orange lead the ACC and is tied for 11th nationally in scoring offense, averaging 43 points across six games. Dual-threat quarterback Eric Dungey paces the team in both rushing (435 yards, seven touchdowns) and passing (1,208 yards, 10 touchdowns).
"I've got a lot of respect for their quarterback," Fedora said. "He's a tough, gritty, hard-nosed guy who can throw it. He doesn't look to slide; he wants to run over you. You can tell the team feeds off him. Who wouldn't want to play for a guy like that?"
Players Mentioned
Defensive End
/ Football
Tailback
/ Football
Defensive Line
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